Desperately in need of advice and help.

[KTM300]

Hi everyone!

I have been searching for far too long now, and this forums is great, but now I am educated, but now confused on what to purchase.

My gf loves fancy cut stones, so that part is ok, I think I have settled on a Radiant cut(maybe cushion) around 1.0 carat, table/depth 60-67% color f-g, vs2-SI1 and the diffuclt part is the length to width ratio. I am thinking this could be a 3 stone ring, so I think I would want a more square stone, but if I have it mounted as a Solitare, I would not mind if it was a little rectangular.

So on the the mounting...She has been waiting a long time, so I want to make this ring very special for her, this is where I have created a self induced panic. I know she will be happy with whatever I give her, but on the other hand I want it to be perfect. I have thought of 3 stone kind of antique style with pave, but not too fancy, more simple. Need suggestions or photos. On the other hand I was thinking maybe a solitare with a nice thin, but desinger band. I love the Tiffany Legacy. My last choice is to mount the stone in a plain solitare setting and pick out the setting later together. I feel the last is not very special, but may be a good start.

My other confusion is where to purchase the stone, I think I will purchase online, but may purchase a setting from another vendor. Is this ok, do I have to ship the stone to have it mounted or could I have it mounted locally if I purchase the setting and stone online. I would rather do it all in one place for return reasons if I am not happy with the setting.

Oh and I want to do this all before Christmas, ugh...............

If anyone has any advice or can calm my nerves, feel free to help.

Thank you,
smh

 

[jaz464]

Here is a setting that I absolutely love with a cushion (shown is an asscher). For a 3 stone ring, I live cushions with half moons (see link). As always Whiteflash and Good Old Gold would be able to find you a super diamond with a great price. I would recommend getting both the setting and diamond together, if possible, because it makes things easier. You don't have to worry about insuring the diamond that way. Personally, I prefer cushions to radiants. If I were to choose a radiant, I would go for the more rectangular shape but square with a cushion. Have you tried doing a search above to see what pops up? Oh and you should be able to do all this before Christmas but get started! The closer it gets, the longer it will most likely take to have the setting made. I just sent my diamond to WF yesterday and it is going to take 3 weeks for the setting to be made.

http://www.jbstar.com/cgi-local/shop/jb.cgi?nhs=33&c=Engagement&s= (far left)

 

[KTM300]

Thank you for the reply, those settings are very nice. I love this one http://www.jbstar.com/cgi-local/shop/jb.cgi?nhs=6&c=Engagement&s= far right. She is home gotta go. Yes I have been searching my heart out

 

[jaz464]

I really like that one too and was going to link it but wasn't sure if it was too elaborate. Its gorgous

 

[Lorelei]

Have you checked out www.diamondsbylauren.com website? David there is very helpful and is a radiant expert, if you decide that is what you want he will help you every step of the way and his work is fabulous. Radiants are tricky and can''t always be best judged by the numbers, David has great advice as to whether a radiant performs as it should. You do need to get going now as you want the ring for Xmas, this is a very busy time for vendors. I know you want the surprise element involved, is there any way you could slyly find out a little more as to what constitutes your GF''s dream ring? It is obviously very important to you to create a spectacular ring - vendors can make any dream come true, so get going now!!! Are you sure that she would really like a 3 stone? As this is an engagement ring she might prefer more of a solitaire with or without pave. The plain solitaire is always an option if you can''t decide . Also scroll through Show me the Ring and the Eye Candy Folder in the above forum, you will get tons of inspiration with that. PSer Coda 72 has a very pretty ring with a centre radiant with 2 side sapphires if I remember rightly to give you an idea of the three stone look. Good luck with your project!

 

[Carolina Girl]

Jazmine, where can I find a link for the setting you posted? I love it!!!!

 

[jaz464]

I was trying to remember where I got that picture from but I can''t. I''m sure someone here will recognize it.

 

[SeaOats]

If you want a cushion, Mark from Engagement Rings Direct has found gorgeous stones for many PS members. Also, check out GOG, they found DeanaBeana''s cushion.

 

[coda72]

Well, it seems like you have some decisions to make before you buy, but I''ll try to help you out a bit. I like radiants better than cushions, but then I''m biased. I have a radiant, and I like it very much. Here''s a couple to check out from James Allen.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=172498&aff_id=ps621

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=518008&aff_id=ps621

If you really don''t know what kind of setting to get, I would just get a simple solitaire setting and maybe design a setting later with a local jeweler. If you buy your diamond from James Allen, I would get this setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/classic_solitaire_settings.asp?module=setting&cid=57&item=795&name=1014

Here''s a setting with micropave on the sides, and I think it would look pretty with a radiant.

http://www.jamesallen.com/settings_with_sidestones.asp?module=setting&cid=58&item=893&name=1209W

I hope this helps a bit.

 

[Lorelei]

Coda, where is your ring picture? Just though that would give a great idea of the 3 stone/ side stone look.

 

[coda72]

Here is a picture of my e-ring and w-ring together.

 

[Lorelei]

Yep - that''s the one, thanks Coda! I love this ring it''s gorgeous

 

[KTM300]

Thank you for the reply. What would make the second stone more expensive to the first they seem to be very close in numbers. How does the premium cut grade compare the the signature or Ideal cut grade on the James Allen site, would I notice a difference? I have a very good eye for detail, however it is not tested on diamonds yet.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[coda72]

Of the two diamonds I posted, I don''t know why the first one would be more expensive. It''s actually lower in color than the other one, so if I were picking between these two, I''d definitely pick the less expensive one. As far as premium and ideal cut grades, I don''t know what standards James Allen uses. The way I found these two for you was using David Atlas'' cut grade system. I was looking for 1A and/or 1B diamonds since these have a better chance of being beautiful stones. If you want to check it out yourself, here''s the link.

http://www.gemappraisers.com/chartFrameset.htm

Choose radiant at the top right of the page. This is how I found my radiant, and I got a good one. If you''re buying in a store, you might not have to be so picky about numbers. You can use your eyes to judge how beautiful the stone is. But it you buy online like I did, then you don''t have much to go on other than the numbers and what the vendor tells you about the diamond.

Good luck, and feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

 

[KTM300]

Thanks. It''s hard not seeing a stone, and seems most are virtual inventory which I think makes is worse. I know numbers are not everything, but is it safe to bet if they fall into the ranges on that page, the stone will be nice?

thanks,
smh

 

[coda72]

I don''t think the numbers on the chart guarantee that it''s a nice stone, but it has a very good chance of being a nice stone. You will have to actually look at it to see if you like it, and also take it to an appraiser to have an expert set of eyes look at it. Most of the vendors on her have a very good return policy, so if you don''t like the stone, you will be able to return it pretty easily.